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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Top Five Tuesday #4

Every Tuesday we will post a Top 5 list.  The content of these lists may or may not relate to the typical blog content.  The list won't necessarily adhere to the Top 5 in order of "best to worst".  We hope this will become a mainstay here on the blog and that people enjoy it!

This week's Top '7' List
As we near the release date of the final Harry Potter movie, "The Deathly Hallows Part 2", let's take a look back and give the previous seven movies a proper ranking.  We will go David Letterman style of this one, counting down to our favorite (warning: there are bound to be many disputes, so feel free to post your heated debate in the comments section!)


7.  The Order of Phoenix (2007).
 Although the actors are growing up and a new director (David Yates) enters the game, this movie lacks far to much for it to be considered very good.  First off, it is boring.  


Really.


Boring.

Second of all, it leaves a lot of the book out of the equation and did I mention it is boring?  The soundtrack is also the least exciting and it is boring.  Obviously the worst one.


6. The Prisoner of Azkaban (2004).


People either love this one or they hate it.  I do not care for it.  It is also pretty boring and gets to dark to fast.  I understand that this is a dark series, but the third one still should have one foot in the 'cute' door and it doesn't.  Even the few times they are outside, in what should be a pleasant environment, it seems overcast and blah.  


The director, Alfonso Cuaron, brings forth a different feel from the first two.  Yes, we'd all agree that previous director, Christopher Columbus, makes the serious very cute and child-like, but isn't that what the first two were supposed to be?  When you compare those child-like fairy tales to the dark and spooky Cuaron version it just doesn't work.  


Also, this is John Williams final soundtrack of the HP series and also his worst.  Develop some themes, please.
5. The Chamber of Secrets (2002).


 Cute, but with a mysterious story to it.  You can still tell, as in the first one, that the child-actors are getting loads of feedback from the directors at this point and many things seem forced.  Yet at the same time, these youngsters put together a nice story and make us want to come back for more.


The problems with this film, however, centered around the Gilderoy Lockhart character.  He drags down this picture and makes it go boom.  The book is far more intricate and exciting and the soundtrack is just OK.  And Dobby...


 One thing I did like: any time spent in Diagon Alley is considered a good time to me, I can not get enough of that place!


4. The Sorcerer's Stone (2001).


 If this were Amy's list, she would place this at number one.  She cites the innocence, the more sunny-esque ideals, and just the general newness of magic and wizarding is intriguing enough.  The Quidditch scene is considering to be as exciting as the 1999 "Phantom Menance" race scene and is exciting.


Watching this movie today in 2011 feels much older than 10 years, the movie looks much older and the CGI reflects that as well.  The soundtrack is better, but that is attributed to the newness.  


It is fun to watch, but I would be curious how many changes would be made if Christopher Columbus were not the director...


3. The Deathly Hallows pt. 1 (2010).


Great set up for the final movie.  The only reason you can't rate it higher is because it can't stand on it's own as it is only half the tale.  The actors are at their best and more of the story is explored.  Can't wait for the finale.






2. The Half-Blood Prince (2009).


David Yates bounces back after the lack-luster "Order of the Phoenix" and delivers a real gem with "Half-Blood".  A well told story that you finally feel the cast is ready to deliver.  The only thing missing, in my opinion, is the cool storyline from the beginning of the book.  You know, where the prime minister is warned about the coming events.  So cool, but missing.


1. The Goblet of Fire (2005).


Fine, I get it, you hate their hair.  Have you ever seen 14 year old boys that don't have similar hair styles?  Nope.  Getting past that, this is the best of the 7 Potter movies.  


Why?  For me it is because it is the only one that I can happily watch over and over again.  The action, adventure, mystery, spells are all working for me.  Why did director Mike Newell not just finish the series out???


It is fair to say, however, that 'Goblet' could be surpassed by 'Hallows'.  I am excited to see the conclusion!


OK, did I get it right?  Am I an idiot?  Lemme know!

3 comments:

  1. I'd have to watch the movies again to have a decent counter to this, so can your next top 7 list be the books? The fight scene at the Ministry of Magic in #5 doesn't do justice to what the book led the imagination to see, so I agree with that one being last on your list. Otherwise, I'd probably go for (in order of best to not as much the best), Sorcerer's Stone, Deathly Hallows pt 1 (stuck most closely to the book besides Sorcerer's Stone), Goblet of Fire, Chamber of Secrets, Half Blood Prince (they maimed the scene where Dumbledore was killed), Prisoner of Azkaban, Order of the Phoenix. The best books? From Best to Not as much the Best: Deathly Hallows, Order of the Phoenix, Prisoner of Azkaban, Half Blood Prince, Goblet of Fire, Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets. Actually, the middle 5 could switch around in pretty much any order, but Deathly Hallows is my fav and Chamber my least fav.

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  2. Hmm, this is well thought out and I would rebuttal but unfortunately I have only read each book once and it has been years (!!!) since I have. I cannot give an accurate list. Once this is all over (the movies) I may have to read them again.

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  3. It's official. 7.2 is the best movie.

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